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Huairui Shi (Flower Nipple Stone)

Alternative Name: Hua Ru Shi (Flower Milk Stone)

[Contraindications]
Severely damages Yin blood. In cases of hemoptysis due to deficiency consumption, the pathology is often caused by fire flaring up and forcing blood to ascend; treatment should employ methods to nourish Yin and descend fire. This herb is not suitable for such conditions. It is also contraindicated in the absence of blood stasis accumulation or fixed stabbing pain in the chest and diaphragm.

[Therapeutic Effects]
Acidic and astringent in taste, neutral in nature, it specifically enters the Liver meridian blood level. It can transform blood stasis into fluid, stop bleeding from metal wounds, and expel dead fetus and placenta. Once the evil blood is resolved, the pathway of the uterus becomes unobstructed.

[Processing]
Originates from regions such as Huazhou in Shaanxi. The stone is hard and yellow in color. After harvesting, seal the top of a jar, calcine over fire to remove "fire toxicity," grind into fine powder, process by water levigation, and dry in the sun for use.

Qingmeng Shi (Green Mica Stone)

[Contraindications]
Its efficacy lies in eliminating stagnation and sinking phlegm-saliva, making it indeed an important medicine. However, its attacking power is too strong, and its nature is heavy and descending. It may only be used for patients with stagnation syndromes who have strong and solid Spleen and Stomach Qi. It is contraindicated for those with weak constitutions. For pediatric convulsions with phlegm or food stagnation with excess heat, it may be used in the initial stage; however, it is contraindicated for chronic deficiency-cold conditions. Wang Yinjun’s method for formulating Guntan Wan posits that all diseases arise from phlegm, advocating its use regardless of deficiency/excess or cold/heat patterns, which is highly inappropriate. One must understand that phlegm has two origins:
1. Due to the Spleen and Stomach's inability to transport and transform, leading to stagnation generating phlegm, or excessive consumption of alcohol and wheat products causing damp-heat, resulting in thick, sticky phlegm that is difficult to expectorate. In such cases, this herb can open the orifices, clear heat, and resolve accumulation, yielding rapid results like a drumstick striking a drum.
2. Due to Yin deficiency with fire flaring up, scorching body fluids and condensing them into phlegm, accompanied by fever, hoarseness, or blood mixed with sputum. If mistakenly taken, Yin will become further deficient, Yang fire will flare more fiercely, and before the phlegm-heat recedes, the Spleen and Stomach will already be damaged. Predecessors' prescriptions inevitably had flaws; the key lies in later generations' ability to select wisely.

[Therapeutic Effects]
Sweet and salty in taste, neutral in nature, it enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. It can calm the Liver, direct Qi downward, resolve stubborn phlegm and epigastric fullness, and promote the resolution of retained food stagnation.

[Processing]
Originates from mountains in Jiangbei. There are green and white varieties; the best quality is hard, fine, dark green-black with white star-like spots inside. Place one crucible, crush the Mengshi, mix with an equal amount of Niter (Potassium Nitrate), secure around charcoal fire, and calcine until completely melted. The stone should turn golden in color. Extract stones lacking gold stars are not used in medicine. Grind into powder, process by water levigation, remove fire toxicity, and dry in the sun for use.